Rep. Mike Johnson‘s (R-LA) exceptional performance under the most trying circumstances has only strengthened my unwavering support for his continued tenure as speaker of the House. Ousting him would have detrimental repercussions, potentially leading to further division within our party and dysfunction in Congress. We must stand united as a solid Republican Party, avoiding any splits that could weaken us.
Before Johnson came to Congress, he was a constitutional litigator, standing up for religious liberty, the Second Amendment, free speech, and the pro-life community. Over a 20-year career, he fought for our constitutionally guaranteed rights and for preserving core American values. The speaker has argued in court on behalf of families denied the ability to discuss God and their faith in schools openly, missionaries barred from distributing literature in public, and pro-life protesters unfairly targeted by city hall. This dedication to faith, freedom, and the central principles of conservatism define Johnson and remain the guiding pillars of his career.
I have known Johnson since he first came to Congress in 2017. He proved his policy insight on both the Judiciary and Armed Services committees.
On the Judiciary Committee, he was tasked with holding the most senior position on the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. He posed hard questions and demanded honest answers from entities such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Justice Department, and the Department of Homeland Security.
On the Armed Services Committee, Johnson was assigned to the subcommittees on Readiness as well as Seapower and Projection Forces. There, he ensured that military training and supplies were adequately maintained and included in the NDAA, ensuring that our warfighters had the material and support they needed.
He also served admirably as deputy whip under Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), helping to corral members ahead of votes to ensure passage of critical legislation.
During his time as chairman of the Republican Study Committee in the 116th Congress, we worked closely on issues such as preserving life, securing liberty, strengthening national security, and shrinking federal bloat. The Republican Study Committee is the largest caucus of conservative members of Congress, forming what amounts to a private think tank for House Republicans. As chairman of the committee, Johnson, through skillful leadership, produced the Conservative Playbook, a document outlining 400 policy proposals on every major conservative policy priority.
In addition to the playbook, Johnson and his staff issued separate detailed proposals to empower workers, preserve liberty, strengthen national security and deterrence, increase the availability and quality of healthcare, and shrink our overgrown bureaucracy.
When House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was removed, I remained hopeful that the next speaker would share my values, as well as the values of my constituents. While I would have been happy to work with many of my colleagues, I was greatly relieved when Johnson stepped forward and was elected to the speakership. Given his background and experience, I knew he had great potential and would take a measured, rational, and steady approach to leading the House.
Since then, Johnson has worked tirelessly to pass vital legislation such as the supplemental security funding package we voted on over the weekend. The package brought much-needed support to Ukraine and provided Israel with the munitions necessary to defend itself and its people from rocket attacks. The package also reinforced the Indo-Pacific region against Chinese aggression and instituted several other policies, all designed to make it harder for our foreign adversaries to wage war on America, our friends, and our allies.
Even when threatened personally with the potential loss of the speakership and a fall from the highest position in the House, Johnson knew there was a right and a wrong. It would have been wrong to leave Ukraine to again suffer under Russian oppression. It would have been wrong to abandon our allies in Israel to Hamas and Iran’s campaign of butchery. It would have been wrong to forsake Taiwan and our Pacific partners to face China alone.
Passing this security package was vital for America to maintain its role as the leader of the free world. Johnson made the right call, regardless of what it may have meant for his career. He not only has my total support but also the support of countless others, both here in the House and among the people of America.
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Doug Lamborn is a U.S. representative for Colorado and serves on the House Armed Services Committee.